SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission to examine the status of wild striped bass in the Commonwealth.

SECTION 2. The commission shall examine and assess the impact that commercial harvesting and sale have upon the population and viability of wild striped bass in the Commonwealth.

SECTION 3. The commission shall consist of a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; a member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority leader; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs or his designee; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Health or his designee; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development or his designee; a representative from the commercial fishing industry; a representative from the sports fishing industry; 3 independent representatives from the marine science industry who are experts in fisheries, to be chosen by the governor. The members of the commission shall be appointed not later 90 days after the effective date of this act and shall serve until the completion of the report.

SECTION 4. The commission may hold public hearings to assist in the collection and evaluation of data and testimony.

SECTION 5. The commission shall prepare a written report detailing its findings and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect. The commission shall submit its report to the governor, the secretary of the commonwealth, the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, the chairs of the house and senate committees on municipalities and regional government not later than December 31 of 2015.

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